The Price of This Love

The Price of This Love~*

By: Anime Angel ~^0^

Jim scowled as his older partner lifted him out of their car, carrying him in a way that resembled a father or mother carrying a baby.

"Aniki, I can walk ya know," the boy growled indignantly, struggling briefly in the much stronger arms of Gene.

"Not accordin' to the doctor." The outlaw grinned; he enjoyed getting on Jim's nerves, and his partner knew it.

The two had arrived at the small, yet peaceful cemetery at about noon, only to find that there were barely any people at all. Only a woman, a man, and two children were there, but they looked more as if they were celebrating than anything else.

The whole graveyard, in fact, looked more cheerful than any the outlaw or the young genius had seen. The grass which lined every pathway was overgrown, yet a bright green that seemed to highlight the path all the way to the end of the stones. The trees were blooming, also. As if Death were something beautiful, the bright pink cherry blossoms fell all around the gravestones, creating quite a contrast between the cold gray slabs and their brilliant color.

"This place is nice, huh?" Jim asked softly, his voice slightly muffle due to the fact that his face was currently smashed up against Gene's shoulder. He attempted to wiggle loose, but to no avail.

"Yep...I wouldn't have thought the cops would put a criminal in a place like this, but anything goes I guess. Of course, I heard they were a little busy, so they probably had to pick a place pretty quick." The outlaw slowed his pace for a moment. "I heard they didn't give her that great a burial, either."

"Yeah well, I guess it's cuz the authorities handled it. It's whatcha get for trusting the cops to get somethin' done."

"Hm...here it is kid." Jim let out a relieved breath as his older partner finally set him down on the ground. He turned his gaze to the lone stone standing in front of them, and then looked up at his partner, wondering what Aniki was thinking.

~*~*~*~

To Gene Naomi's gravestone seemed to be separated from the rest.

As he stood by her grave the wind seemed to pick up, blowing thick red hair into his eyes. All around him crisp, pink cherry blossoms fell, landing at his feet.

Her stone was at the far end of the cemetery, almost covered in the overly-tall grass that seemed to thrive in the graveyard. For a moment he just stood silently, staring at the words encarved on the tablet. May Naomi Kita Rest in Peace Forever in the Kingdom of the Lord.

Sure, thought the outlaw, like the girl's really gonna go to the 'Kingdom of the Lord'. I doubt God likes girls who try and murder little kids and boyfriends. Besides, hadn't she been set on taking him to Hell with her?

Gene broke his gaze with he name as he noticed his younger partner glancing nervously about. He grinned inwardly, glad that the boy had agreed to come along. The outlaw was a little surprised, both at himself and his partner. First of all, Gene was surprised that he had even asked Jim. He had known that Naomi had tried to kill the kid, but for some reason he had needed his partner to be there with him. Second, why had Jim even agreed? Gene's ex had tried to smother, and then stab the blond ... Jim had to be crazy to want to come and see her grave! But as the outlaw thought about it more and more, it only became more clear that Jim was just being a real friend -- his BEST friend. The boy wasn't crazy for wanting to come, he was giving Gene support.

"What's the matter Jim? Don't like graveyards?" he laughed, watching the boy shiver as a coffin nearby was lowered into the ground.

Jim let out an indignant breath. "No...it's just...creepy."

"Sure..." Gene smiled playfully, and pulled Jim closer, running a scarred hand through the boy's tousled blond hair.

"I thought you were here to say your goodbyes..." Jim said under his breath, readying himself for when the outlaw would pick him up again. He hated be carried around like a baby, yet Gene insisted upon doing it. Oh well...no use trying to fight it. Maybe it'll come in handy if we have to walk somewhere far always or something...

"I am I am....don't rush me." Gene, making sure that Jim wasn't going to go try and walk off, turned his focus back to what he had been doing. A small gust of wind began to blow flaming red locks of hair across his eyes as he stared down at the stone gray slab before him.

The outlaw stared at Naomi's grave and recalled what Jim had said about saying goodbye. Was that really why he was here? No....no it's more like good ridden than goodbye... But if he wasn't there to say farewell, then why was he there in the first place?

To.... To what? Why the hell am I here anyways? She doesn't deserve someone paying their respects...

But then thoughts flashed through Gene's mind, and all of a sudden he knew what he had come to do. Leaning down ever so slowly, he lowered himself to his knees and stared hard into the carved out words on the stone tablet in front of him. An overwhelming feeling of regret filled his mind as he silently began to speak to Naomi, hoping the girl would hear. Hoping that somewhere down in Hell, the devil himself was allowing the girl to hear his words of apology. It took him only a few minutes to express his sincere thoughts; he told her that he was sorry, and regretted meeting her...that everything would have been fine if he had made her leave early, or never went with her at all. Then...then all of us would still be okay...

And when Gene was done, and as he rose off of his knees, he gave her his last final thought, something he should have right after she had tried to hurt Jim. Naomi, I did love you....but now...now it is OVER .

"You okay there Aniki?" Jim asked as Gene slowly stood back up, brushing the dirt off of his knees.

"Yeah, I'm fine..." The outlaw let his voice trail off, and then grinned. "Now I feel...hungry."

Immediately a look of frustration crossed his younger partner's features.

"Gene Starwind we are NOT picking up any food! I told you we were BROKE! We have NO MONEY! ZIP! ZILCH! NADA--"

Gene, knowing that the boy would go on forever if allowed, picked him up quickly, purposely stuffing Jim's face in his shoulder.

"Whaddya say? A cheeseburger sound good?" The outlaw laughed as Jim let out a muffled 'no'. "Yeah you're right... a HOTDOG sounds better!" Gene's lopsided grin widened as Jim let out a series of profanities, all of which were inaudible...thank goodness.

As the two headed for the exit of the cemetery, Gene couldn't help but take one last look at the lone gravestone standing isolated at the end of the yard. He stood staring for a moment, and was surprised when Jim didn't complain. Yet again, another cherry blossom flashed across his vision, and as if it had triggered the memory Naomi's words filled his ears. The words she had said almost right before she died. 'I guess love wasn't meant for me...'

No...I guess it wasn't, he thought, turning back to the car. But as he went to set Jim down, something occurred to him.

What if...what if it was him that wasn't meant for love? What if he was destined to be a one night type of guy all his life?

"Hello...?! Mothership to Gene Starwind..."

Gene snapped out of his coma at the feel of Jim's small hand whacking him across the face, and immediately his former thoughts were gone.

"HEY!" the outlaw growled, whacking the boy back gently into the seat. "Just because I'm a little hungry doesn't mean you need to hit me over the head!"

"Oh yeah!" Jim yelled, smacking the red-head again.

"HEY!"

"Whatcha gonna do about it?" Jim sneered.

"I don't know if you wanna find out!"

"Oh yeah?! TRY ME!"

And with that Gene pounced on the boy, sending them both flying back into the car. It was only when Jim let out a howl of pain that the outlaw ceased tickling his younger partner.

"OH DAMN! I forgot!" A look of terror crossed Gene's eyes as various thoughts of what he might have done to his younger partner's injuries crossed his mind. "Oh God Jim...I'm sor--" His apology was cut off abruptly by the feel a dirty sock entering a mouth.

"Gotcha."

Gene glared at the smiling, cocky boy in front of him, kicking himself for falling for Jim's trick so easily. Slowly, he pulled the sock out of his mouth.

"You know..." Jim said smugly, "This whole wounded thing might be good for somethin' after all..."

THE END

*YEP! That's right folks! After ten chapters this fic is DONE! *does a little dance* I am so happy...but now of course I have nothing to do. Well, better start coming up with fic ideas...and soon. Sorry if you didn't like the end, but I am might make an alternate one too! This one was sort of short, and kinda hard to write, but I hoped it turned out okay! Thanks to all of those who reviewed!